Innehållsförteckning för 30 August 2024 från Farmer's Weekly

I am a massive sports fan, so I eagerly tuned into the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics, which were held in Paris this year. Unfortunately, like many others, I was massively disappointed in the display. For starters, the Olympic flag was hoisted upside down; not to mention the supposed mockery of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which saw many Christians boycott the Olympics. Then there was the baffling inclusion of a rather overweight Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, which many have argued is highly ironic, as the Olympics is a celebration of peak human fitness, health and capability. Indeed, there was nothing in the opening or closing ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympics that seemed to particularly celebrate France, its history (except for an odd portrayal of…

Having spent the first week of August 2024 in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape among farmers, attending meetings and interacting with market agents, it would be fair to say this region is one of the most in need of agritourism promotion. The region has something to offer -great cuisines, landscapes, and history. However, agritourism would also be a lifeline for some regions that previously relied on railway activities. There is now reduced economic activity, thus unemployment is rife, leaving some towns exposed to potential instability. FARMERS CREATING JOBS In the case of farmers, they do their part and create employment in their regions. Therefore, proper marketing of the unique and premium Karoo lamb that many of them produce would bring the much-needed revenue that, in turn, could be…

The South African Cabinet recently approved the draft Aquaculture Development Bill for public comment. This marks a critical step towards establishing a dedicated legal framework for managing and sustainably developing the aquaculture sector in South Africa. The Bill, set to cover marine and freshwater aquaculture, is designed to streamline the currently fragmented regulatory environment, enhance food and nutrition security, spur economic growth, and address historical imbalances in access to aquaculture opportunities. According to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and the Environment (DFFE), the Bill is intended to promote responsible aquaculture practices, improve the coordination of research and development activities, and provide the regulatory efficiency needed to foster sectoral growth. “The primary purpose of the draft Bill is to promote responsible aquaculture development and ensure the sector can contribute meaningfully to…

At the International Fresh Produce Association’s Southern Africa Conference, held recently near Cape Town, various speakers spoke about the challenges and opportunities currently facing the fresh produce industry, Michelle Phillips, CEO of Transnet, said it was making “considerable progress” in the implementation of reforms in accordance with the Freight Logistics Roadmap and the Guarantee Framework Agreement conditions issued by National Treasury. These reforms include the rehabilitation of Transnet’s rail business, corporatisation of the Transnet National Ports Authority, and disposal of non-core assets. However, she emphasised the importance of private-sector participation in turning logistics around: “It is not Transnet but we as a country that must stand together and compete with the rest of the world. Industries should do what they can to help ensure Transnet has everything it requires to…

The Mantusini Dairy Farm project in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, has collapsed after nearly two decades of financial investment and government support. Despite more than R43 million being funnelled into the project since 2005, the farm has been left in ruins, with local farmers seeing no benefit from it and over 200 cows reportedly dying from neglect. Originally established on about 373ha of communal land contributed by 373 households in the village of Mantusini, the project was aimed at providing a sustainable source of income and uplifting the local community through dairy production. However, it has failed to deliver on its promises, leaving the community in a state of disillusionment. According to a statement from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (the department), the farm had been…

South Africa has solidified its position as the biggest exporter of cannabis to Australia, marking a significant milestone for the country’s burgeoning cannabis industry. This development underscores the growing recognition of the quality and potential of South African cannabis on the global market. According to industry leaders, the innovation and dedication of local farmers, along with an evolving regulatory environment, has facilitated the cultivation and export of cannabis. Dinake Nongo Motona, vice-president of Industrial Dacha Development and deputy national chairperson of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) Cannabis Chamber, said South Africa becoming Australia’s biggest cannabis exporter was “a testament to the hard work and innovation of our local farmers and the evolving regulatory environment that supports cannabis cultivation and export”. He attributed the volumes to the quality…

Expectations of a bumper US production season continued to weigh on Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) maize and soya bean prices, with trading showing multiyear lows. While weather woes have caused yield declines for some wheat producers, ample global stocks and the ongoing Northern Hemisphere harvest have continued to weigh on CBOT wheat prices. MAIZE At the beginning of August, CBOT maize prices extended their losses, with the grain trading at lows last seen in October 2020 and weighed on by excellent US production prospects coupled with expectations of ample global supply. Good weather forecasts improved the US supply outlook and the crop condition remains excellent, rated 67% good-to-excellent on 5 August, which is up 10 percentage points from a year ago. CBOT maize prices were 2,7% lower month-on-month (see…

The Near North by Ivan Vladislavi°ȱȱ (Picador Africa, R370) Not all of us who live in cities want to be confined to cars and apartments or neatly fenced houses. We need time to stride through the world around us, observing how our communities are ebbing and flowing. Vladislavić is renowned observer, and here his observations flow from exploring different neighbourhoods to feel a greater sense of freedom during COVID-19 exercise times and watching the difficult effort to create a public park from a derelict garden, to coming to terms with the young house-sitter murdered on his property to deciding what to do with his parents’ ashes. He pinpoints and records the everyday habits and street scenes that help create the sense of time and place and expands into the broader meanings…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. This article was originally published by The Conversation. To read the article, visit shorturl.at/vc6dz. "Nature-based solutions are actions that use nature to solve environmental problems. Examples in cities would be setting up a wetland near a group of buildings to absorb floodwater, or building permeable pavements. The world’s developed countries have been implementing nature-based solutions since 2015 but Africa has fallen behind. We are part of a group of environmental scientists who analysed the plans of African countries to adapt to climate change. We found that only 15 African countries (27,7%) had implemented nature-based solutions. EFFECTS OF URBANISATION Just 119 projects have been set up in Africa to adapt to climate change in water,…

Since 1788, Americans have had a presidential election. The American constitution determines the date of the election as the Tuesday following the first Monday in November, every four years. In 2024, the election date will be on 5 November and it will be without a doubt the most important election from a global perspective this year. The presidential election will be one of many elections on 5 November. The 240 million eligible American voters will have to cast their vote for several state governors; for one third of the 100 senators to be elected for a six-year term; and for the 435 members of the House of Representatives that only serve two-year terms, among others. The 2024 US election had, however, been overshadowed by the competition between two old men,…

Maintaining owl populations on vegetable farms leads to lower rodent control costs, while reducing the need for harsh rodenticide. Rats are known to cause damage to young seedlings and irrigation pipes on farms. While rodenticide is an option, it can lead to reduced owl numbers, since the poison is transferred when the rats are ingested by the owls. This then exacerbates the problem, as fewer owls can lead to higher rat populations. Instead, seed producer Sakata Seed has invested in growing its owl populations by providing housing and perches. In June, two young barn owls (Tyto alba) were added, bringing the number of owls on the seed farm in Lanseria, Gauteng, to eight. This ensures rodent control and contributes to the broader conservation of barn owls, which will typically eat…

South Africa’s best shot at a stable and prosperous future would be if the ANC and DA could work together to make the Government of National Unity (GNU) work. This was the message from political and economic adviser Frans Cronjé, who spoke at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Southern Africa Conference, held recently near Cape Town. Cronjé said frustrations over what had not yet been achieved might rise over the next six months as people became more familiar with the new regime. An ANC-DA deal, nevertheless, might become a predictable result of future elections if these parties showed material progress in the next 18 months in solving current problems facing the country. The GNU’s success greatly depended on its ability to bring energy security. “By addressing the energy hole, government…

Following the tradition of his father and grandfather, Phool Dev Shahni once earned a living diving into 24m-deep muddy ponds. In those murky depths, he collected seeds from a water lily known as euryale ferox, commonly called prickly water lily, makhanas, fox nuts, or lotus seeds. These seeds, valued for their high levels of B vitamins, protein and fibre, are often dubbed a ‘superfood’. Makhanas are popular snacks and are used in various dishes, like the milk pudding kheer, and can be ground into flour. In Bihar, a north-eastern Indian state where Shahni lives, 90% of the world’s makhana is produced. Though the plant’s leaves float on the water’s surface, the seeds form underwater in pods, making collection arduous. “As we dive, mud gets into our ears, eyes, noses and…

Tractor and combine harvester sales continued their downward trend in July. The number of tractors sold during the month decreased by roughly 15% from 660 units to 563, with the year-on-year (y/y) sales declining by 25% from 4 715 units to 3 499. This was according to the latest South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) statistics. Eight combine harvesters were sold in July, down 75% from the 32 units sold in the same month in 2023. Year-on-year combine harvester sales fell by more than 63% from 359 units to 132. Willie Human, chairperson of SAAMA, ascribed the decline in sales to the normalising of the market at much lower levels than were experienced over the past few seasons. “Industry expectations are that tractor sales will be 20% to 25% down…

The South African sugar industry is grappling with significant challenges as global sugar prices decline, the Health Promotion Levy (sugar tax) continues to put strain on the sector, and the threat of deep-sea sugar imports looms large. These were some of the issues underscored by industry leaders during the 96th South African Sugar Technologists’ Association (SASTA) Congress held in mid-August at the Durban International Convention Centre. In his opening address at the congress, SASTA president Muhammad Kadwa emphasised the industry’s resilience but warned that it must be matched by proactive steps toward diversification. “The decline in world sugar prices this year, the Health Promotion Levy, commonly known as the sugar tax, and the threat of another surge of deep-sea sugar imports re-emphasise the need to focus on diversification,” Kadwa said.…

Achmat Kazie, a beekeeper from Somerset West in the Western Cape, was recently honoured with Bee Union South Africa’s highest accolade, namely the ‘chief whip’ award. He received a leather whip on his appointment as chief whip of the union as a token of its appreciation for his dedication to the promotion of the local honey production industry. Kazie is the third recipient of this award. His predecessors include Prof Kobus van der Walt of North-West University and Erik Holm, erstwhile head of entomology at the University of Tshwane. “I appreciate this award and the recognition that comes with it very much. South African honey is probably one of the most unique of its kind in the world because of the varied plant biodiversity in the country. We need to…

The fashion industry is undergoing a significant transformation as both brands and consumers increasingly seek eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to conventional textiles. Among these, hemp stands out as a versatile and environmentally friendly fibre, rapidly gaining popularity in the clothing and fashion sectors. BRIEF HISTORY OF HEMP IN TEXTILES Hemp’s journey in textile production spans thousands of years, going back to ancient Middle Eastern and Chinese civilisations. Historically, hemp was prized for its strength and versatility and was used in everything from clothing to ship sails. However, the 20th century saw a decline in hemp production due to the rise of synthetic fibres and legal restrictions. PROPERTIES OF HEMP FIBRES Hemp fibres boast several attributes that make them ideal for textiles: • Hemp fibres are exceptionally strong and resistant to…

Dairy cattle have been villainised as the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the agriculture sector, whether the claims are based on scientific fact or not. “Agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with dairy production contributing to about 60% of this,” Takudzwa Mupfurutsa, Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region dairy business executive, said during a recent media tour to its factory in Mossel Bay and the farm of one of its pioneering suppliers in George, Western Cape. To address this issue, Nestlé committed to achieving a 50% reduction in emissions across all operations by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Mupfurutsa said the company had already left peak emissions behind and was well on track to reach its targeted 20% reduction by 2025. In…

There’s no doubt that Henry Timson Lukin was one of the best-liked and most respected British officers to hold command over South African troops during various campaigns. He was born in Fulham, London, on 24 May 1860 as the only son of barrister-in-law Robert Lukin of the Inner Temple, and had a younger sister by two years. When he was 16 years old, their beloved mother passed away, and instead of entering the Sandhurst Military Academy, Lukin decided to sail for Natal in January 1879. On his arrival in South Africa, he learnt about the disastrous battles at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, which the British fought against the Zulus. With his letters of introduction, he reported to the military authorities in Durban and at the age of 19 was commissioned…

Dear Prof McCrindle, On our private game reserve in the Waterberg, Limpopo, we have all the species of game common to the area, except the Big Five. The reserve is fenced to prevent the game from leaving. For some years we had a lone, fully mature eland bull but no eland cows. This bull mated with the kudu cows, which resulted in offspring that kudu-eland crosses. Currently we have four of these crosses (koeland), all of which are male. We have many big mature kudu bulls that are sufficient in number to service all the kudu cows. After discovering that the eland bull was mating with the kudu, we brought in a herd of 10 eland cows with two young bulls. The mature eland bull, however, continued to mate with…

ARCHIVE This vineyard in a Windhoek suburb provided grapes from which distinctive wines and brandy were produced. A few minutes’ drive from the city centre is a vineyard with features that are probably unique. The grapes from the vineyard are used to make two table wines and a brandy which, say experts, are most distinctive. Water for irrigating the vines is pumped from hot springs, and it is claimed that the vineyard is the northern-most one in the Southern Hemisphere. Covering an area of 3ha, the vineyard has been owned and run for the past 67 years by Catholic missionaries. In 1842 the land was owned by Protestant missionaries who planted a few vines. Times were turbulent, however, and they withdrew. Eventually the land was acquired by a German civil…

The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) recently called for engagement between government representatives, nutritionists, economists, and agriculturalists to review the costs and benefits of including more meat products on the list of zero-rated basic foods in South Africa. “Various research studies indicated that marginal and low-income consumers eat too little meat, more specifically red meat. Red meat is an essential source of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, iron, and zinc compared to other meat sources,” Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the RPO, said in a statement. This followed a request by the South African Poultry Association and the DA for individual quick-frozen (IQF) chicken products be zero-rated, which meant they’d not be subject to VAT, making them more affordable. Maré added that although the RPO wholeheartedly agreed that food…

At Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) Annual Congress 2024, held recently in Bloemfontein, Francois Wilken, president of FSA, said the South African agricultural value chain can be likened to the globe, with producers as the South Pole and consumers as the North Pole. Producers and consumers were price takers, leaving the former with little control over the prices they got and the latter with little control over what they paid, he said. However, should these two groups disintegrate, the entire agricultural value chain would collapse. He therefore requested all role players in the chain to actively put measures in place to shield both the consumer and the producer against extreme high and extreme low prices. Producers were currently faced with a number of severe challenges that put sustainability at risk. These…

BRAZIL China’s commerce chamber (CFNA) recently announced that, from 2 August 2024, its restrictions on poultry exported from Brazil would be limited to products from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where an isolated outbreak of Newcastle disease occurred in July. Since 19 July, Brazil had stopped issuing health certificates for poultry product exports to China under a self-imposed embargo. Brazil’s agriculture ministry said in a statement that nationwide restrictions on exports of poultry remained in place for China, Mexico and Argentina. SICILY A massive freshwater reserve has been discovered hidden beneath Sicily’s Hyblaean Mountains. The extensive reserve is believed to contain around 17 billion metres-cubed of water and is between 700m and 2 500m below the surface. It could also be the key to solving Sicily’s ongoing drought.…

The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have launched an investigation following the suspension of four employees from the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (the department). The employees, who were stationed at the Eastern Cape Regional Land Claims Office in East London, have been implicated in alleged financial irregularities involving over R8 million. Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that the elite unit was actively investigating a case of corruption involving both a senior official and a junior employee. “We can confirm that the Hawks are investigating a case of corruption at the Eastern Cape Regional Claims office. The matter was referred to the Hawks in August 2023. The Hawks are investigating allegations of corruption on land claims, where an estimated amount…

As plant-based diets continue to gain momentum globally, South Africa’s fast-food industry is increasingly catering to this trend. The latest findings from ProVeg South Africa, a leading food awareness organisation, reveal a significant shift in the fast-food landscape, with quick service restaurants (QSRs) expanding their menus to include more plant-based options. ProVeg’s annual ranking assesses the plant-based offerings of top fast-food franchises, encouraging both consumers and QSRs to embrace more sustainable and health-conscious choices. According to Donovan Will, director of ProVeg South Africa, the report showed the substantial opportunities within the plant-based sector, from developing new products to filling menu gaps with existing plant-based alternatives. “The report once again highlights significant opportunities available in the plant-based space within QSRs in South Africa,” Will noted, emphasising the potential for outlets to…

Never work with assumptions and focus on the facts. Remove emotion from the matter and do not take anything personally. Liezel de Wet AMC Equipment: Group After-Sales Manager Women have been breaking boundaries in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as agriculture and mechanization, for a long time. Their contributions not only challenge gender stereotypes but also bring different perspectives and innovative solutions to these industries. In agriculture, women are increasingly taking on roles as farmers, engineers, and machine operators, showcasing their skills in managing complex operations and promoting sustainable practices. Their involvement in mechanization has led to improvements in efficiency and productivity, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and equality in driving progress and growth in these sectors. Women’s keen awareness of emotions and details also makes them excellent communicators, which…

Mites are a persistent challenge in poultry farming, with significant implications for animal health, productivity, and overall farm economics. Among the various mites that affect poultry, the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) and the scaly leg mite (Knemidocoptes mutans) are particularly common in South Africa. COMMON MITES AFFECTING POULTRY According to Dr Njabulo Lekhuleni, a poultry veterinarian, the red mite is arguably the most notorious in South Africa. “It is followed closely by the scaly leg mite, which is mostly seen on backyard hard-bodied birds. Other mites include the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, and the tropical fowl mite, O. bursa. But our focus today will be primarily on the poultry red mite.” He says understanding how mites spread is crucial for effective management. “Mites typically spread through mite dispersion…

While the use of pesticides and herbicides on crop farms is crucial for global food security, these chemicals pose significant health risks to people who ingest even trace amounts of them. HIGH-TECH DETECTION To address this issue, researchers from China have developed an advanced imaging method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect pesticide residues on fruit. SERS uses metal nanoparticles to amplify signals from molecules exposed to a laser, creating patterns that can identify specific chemicals. The research team, led by Dongdong Ye, Ke Zheng, and Shaobo Han, improved the SERS sensitivity by designing a flexible, transparent membrane coated with silver nanoparticles. LOW LEVELS This membrane, when applied to fresh produce like apples, was able to detect even low levels of pesticides, such as thiram and carbendazim, even after…